Former Somali President: Somalia not ready for one-person, one-vote elections

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed warned Wednesday that Somalia is not ready for a genuine one-person, one-vote election, arguing that the country’s fragile security and the absence of core institutions put its democratic transition at risk. In an interview with the BBC Somali Service, Sheikh Sharif said the government’s timetable for direct voting remains more rhetorical than real, citing the lack of enabling laws, functioning political parties and credible security arrangements. “One-person,…

Former president warns Somalia not ready for one-person, one-vote elections

Somalia not ready for one-person, one-vote, ex-President Sheikh Sharif warns MOGADISHU — Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed says Somalia is not prepared for a genuine one-person, one-vote election, warning that the country’s security and future are at serious risk without a broad political agreement and practical groundwork. In an interview with the BBC Somali Service on Wednesday, Sheikh Sharif said the current push by the government for nationwide direct elections does not reflect realities on the ground…

Discover What Occurs After Each Meal You Eat

The content you've provided is best suited for the Healthy Eating format. It focuses on the science-informed benefits of walking after meals, which includes regulation of blood sugar, digestion, increased circulation, and other health-related aspects. The narrative is practical and informative, aligning with wellness trends and habits. Here’s how it could be structured: Health Benefits of Walking After Meals Walking after meals is a simple yet effective way to enhance overall health. Experts emphasize the importance of this…

Somalia’s Army Retakes Strategic Villages as Al‑Shabaab Withdraws

Somali army retakes villages in Hiiraan as al-Shabaab withdraws; forces advance toward Jilib BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — The Somali National Army has retaken several villages in western Hiiraan after al-Shabaab fighters pulled back ahead of an anticipated military push, officials said, tightening government control in the central region without significant clashes. Military commanders said units moved into areas around the El-Adde settlement after militants vacated forward positions, allowing government forces to assume control…

Barcelona, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid secure Champions League victories

Jules Kounde’s towering brace turned a tense night Barcelona’s way, lifting the Catalans to a 2-1 comeback win over Eintracht Frankfurt and shoring up their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign. The French defender headed in twice within three second-half minutes at Montjuic, rescuing Barcelona after Ansgar Knauff’s 21st-minute strike had put Eintracht ahead against the run of play. The victory nudges Barcelona to 13th in the 36-team league table—still short of the top-eight cutoff for direct passage to the round…

Somalia’s NISA and international partners kill seven Al‑Shabaab militants in Hiiraan

Beledweyne (AX) — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said Monday it carried out a targeted raid with international partners in the Hiiraan region that killed seven al-Shabaab militants and destroyed a truck loaded with ammunition. In a statement, the agency said the pre-planned operation struck Biyo Madobe, a village under the Jicibow area of Hiiraan, part of a broader campaign to dismantle critical al-Shabaab positions and supply lines in central Somalia. NISA said the truck the militants were…

Awdal Elders Restore Police Control in Borama After Days of Deadly Unrest

BORAMA, North Western State of Somalia — Traditional leaders in North Western State of Somalia’s Awdal region said Tuesday they have handed security responsibilities in Borama back to the police, moving to restore order after days of unrest that left at least 20 people dead and more wounded. The elders announced the decision after a closed-door meeting in the regional capital, reversing an earlier directive that had ordered all security forces — including police and army units — to withdraw from the city amid escalating…

Somalia’s Danab Forces Arrest Two Suspected al‑Shabab Militants in Lower Shabelle

Somali Danab commandos arrest two suspected al-Shabab members in Lower Shabelle raid One detainee identified as son of senior militant commander as operation near Tooratoorow targets extortion network, officials say File photo: Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers ride on a military vehicle during a security patrol in southern Somalia. The SNA’s elite Danab commandos have intensified operations in Lower Shabelle as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt al-Shabab activity across the region. MOGADISHU — Somali Danab…

Analysis: Somalia’s debt relief milestone masks a risky push toward new borrowing

Somalia’s long campaign for debt relief culminated in December 2023, when the IMF and World Bank certified the country had reached the HIPC “Completion Point.” In March 2024, Paris Club creditors followed with sweeping cancellations, clearing much of the stock of legacy obligations. On paper, the breakthrough restores Somalia’s access to concessional finance and signals confidence in the government’s economic direction. Yet the core domestic underpinnings that are supposed to safeguard a post-relief economy remain uneven…

Puntland State bolsters Al-Miskaad front as forces hunt remaining ISIS militants

Puntland State deploys new forces to Al-Miskaad as campaign against ISIS-Somalia enters ‘closing phase’ BOSASO, Somalia — Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 Puntland State has deployed new military units to the Al-Miskaad mountain range in the Bari region as its yearlong campaign against the Islamic State group’s Somali branch moves into what officials describe as its closing phase. Regional authorities said Monday that hundreds of recently assigned soldiers were sent to the Baallade valley and surrounding areas to reinforce and…